A Florida man pleaded not guilty Wednesday in federal court to additional charges that were filed against him relating to an alleged plot to hire a former cellmate to kill his ex-wife.

Police accuse Edward McLaughlin of attempting to hire Gary Williams of Scranton last year to kill his ex-wife, Joanna Van Tine of Wayne County, so that he could end a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Mr. McLaughlin was first arrested on June 18 on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and several other offenses. A second indictment was issued in August charging Mr. Williams as an accomplice in the case.

Additional charges relating to the use of the mail and telephone systems to discuss the plot and arrange for the transportation of a firearm to be used in the killing were subsequently filed against both men on April 23.

Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Williams met while both were incarcerated at the Pike County jail for violating protection from abuse orders, according to court records. Mr. McLaughlin convinced Mr. Williams to kill his ex-wife by promising to give him a job that would pay $50,000 a year.

The plot unraveled in May 2012 after authorities arrested Mr. Williams for firing a shot, which missed, at another woman, Glora Soto, at the Valley View Terrace apartment complex in South Scranton. Ms. Soto then told police about the plot to kill Mrs. Van Tine, who remarried and now lives in the Lakeville area of Wayne County.

Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Williams previously pleaded not guilty to the murder-for-hire charges.

Mr. McLaughlin pleaded not guilty to the more recent charges before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Thomas Blewitt Wednesday. Mr. Williams previously entered a not guilty plea to the charges.

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